15 months and a trip to the pumpkin patch!

What a busy month we've had!

You helped me make a card for Dada's birthday. You looked adorable trying on his shoes and wearing his necktie! You are growing up into such a little man. :-)

Next we had such a fun afternoon at the pumpkin patch. We took lots of pictures and you loved the tractor! You made Vroom noises as you pretended to drive it. This year you are going to be a monkey for Halloween. You love monkeys and make Oooh Oooh Oooh noises whenever you see one.

You love playing with your Little People Plane. It probably one of your favorite toys right now. You crack me up when you spend half an hour just putting your people and their luggage in and out of the plane. You are very particular that they need to go in through the door. :-)

We had a great time at my dad's family reunion in Bonham. 

You enjoyed the farm equipment and riding on the 4 wheeler. 

You love your Bailey!

The trip to the pumpkin patch was so much fun! You had a great time pushing everyone's wagons and running from us. You looked so adorable in your monkey outfit. 

14 months

Wow! So much is happening and changing in your life right now! 

First of all, I want to say how you are still my sweet boy. Your smile lights up a room and everyone looks forward to seeing you. You enjoy staying with your grandparents, and we are enjoying having more baby free time. I can hear the grandparents saying..."its about time!"

I guess I can chalk it up to being a new mom and trying to do my best with nursing you every feeding and being jealous with my nights to put you to bed. That's mostly over now. I really enjoy it when your Dad or someone else can send you off to dream land and I just get a happy (to see Momma/Dada) baby in the morning :-) Your bedtime routine is now consisting of reading bible stories in addition to your nighttime books. Then we say a prayer and put you down in your crib. I can attribute this to your wonderful Dad. Having him in your nighttime routine has been great. On the subject of sleep, you are only taking one nap now for about 2 hours. It just sorta happened one day and now we are a one nap baby. This is an adjustment for me since I work during your naps. But, I will say that you've been more consistent with how long and when you decide to sleep and that has been helpful.

You still call me Dada. Sigh... I am really looking forward to seeing your beautiful blue eyes look up at me and you say "Momma" with a grin on your face. I know it will happen eventually, so I am being patient. You say other words though. I hear you say "Shoes","Cheese" and "Fruit" after I say them and you make monkey noises too. So add that with "Woof", "Dada", "Vroom" and "This" and we are on a roll! Your signing has exploded. You are signing words like food, more, bath, all done, diaper and water. We both have a feeling that the "dam" will break and you will begin saying lots of words soon.

We are climbing now. Yep! Not too long after you turned 13 months old you decided to hike your leg up and climb onto the fireplace. Probably not the best decision to put our shoes in the fireplace opening so you wouldn't pull them out. I think it gave you more incentive to climb early. Oh well! Lesson learned on my part. But I am still proud of you. We are emphasizing the correct way to get down and say "feet on floor" to you when you are trying to climb somewhere you shouldn't.  

Good news, you love being outside still. You crave it, you grab our shoes at any moment during the day and say "This?" meaning, "Outside please!" I love it because it keeps you active and satisfies your inner drive to explore and you nap well afterwards! You climb, run, eat dirt, push your wheel barrow, swing, warrior chant with your sticks, give sticks to Bailey, play keep away with Goldie's ball and sneak behind the shed and wait for me to get you. Bad news, you are very reactive to ant bites. And you don't understand...which I don't get yet... that you shouldn't stand in the middle of ant piles and poke at them with sticks. Can someone help me out here? Is this common? 

At least you aren't trying to eat the rocks in the backyard anymore.

Today we found a butterfly on a tree. You were very fascinated by it!

So we packaged up all your baby stuff from brand new home from the hospital to 9 months old. *Sniff*

It was an emotional trip down memory lane, which had a lot of comments of "wow, was he really that small?"

We talked about how it would be awesome to give you a baby brother since we have an abundance of great boy clothes. But we both agree that if God blesses us with another baby, a little sister for you would be a welcome joy as well! Just not right now ;-)

I made a little clothesline in your room from the 12 month wall decoration we had at your party. On it I hung your little monogrammed onesies from Sherry and cap from the hospital and all your monkeys. It was all stuff I couldn't see boxing up to use again since it was so personalized. I wasn't sure what to do with your memorabilia, but the clothesline is pretty cute for now in your room. Maybe a shadow box later...

I debated whether or not to include this in the post, but here is goes. You can judge me if you want to, but I finally found a way to keep you out of your diaper bin. First off, its gross that you are fascinated with opening up your diaper pail, so I was desperate. I tried keeping it in the closet, but the confined space was too stinky as a result. A while back we bought a howler monkey that can shoot like 50' and makes monkey noises. We thought you'd get a kick out of it. Monkeys=happiness  Right?

Not so much :-( 

 You are scared of it. I mean run-away-hide-behind-my-legs-and-cry scared when it goes off. If you see it, you generally avoid coming near it, but aren't traumatized. So, I have put this howler monkey on top of the diaper pail. Result: You aren't getting in it anymore. You point at it with a questioning "This?" and I say "Don't touch" and then you walk the other way. It works for now.
Ok, confession over, whew!
I am really amazed by what you are doing. What you are figuring out and how your play has changed so much in just the past few weeks. I can tell more than ever that you are mimicking us. That is kinda scary for me because I want to be sure I am being the very best example I can to you. And I know I'm not perfect. But small things, like the way I play with an object, I see you play with that object the same way the next time. Some new noises that you are making, I can recall making those same ones not too long ago. You also just started applauding for yourself. I usually say "Yay!" and clap when you do something, so now you are your own cheering section too! Oh, and you can open doors and move latches...I'm sure that was from watching us too. I'm glad most of our doors are twist, just a few are the lever style. The baby proofing continues....

My little warrior and his sticks!

So while we were outside taking lots of photos Monday, Nathan decided to sing a warrior chant and wave some sticks around. I switched the camera to video mode and captured the event. Still crack up every time I watch this! Enjoy :-)

13 months!

    Bug, you are now 13 months old. Sooo much has changed/ developed since your first year birthday. 

You are growing and maturing into a little man. We have so much fun reading books and playing with all your toys. You are figuring out how your Duplos (big Legos) fit together. But mostly I build and you take apart. Its great fun for both of us. Anything with wheels you love. You have several Little People toys that you roll around, up and down ramps and crash into the dogs. You also have lots of trucks, cars, a helicopter and a plane. I feel like sometimes our tiled living room is a parking lot!

 You insist on having music or sound playing while you play. If that means that all your noisy toys are activated or just the iPod playing...its what you want. Your favorite show is Wheel of Fortune. After dinner we turn it on and you love watching the wheel spin and the letters light up. Your other favorite thing on TV is the Dream Lights commercial. You still stop and listen to the jingle every time it plays! Still not watching anything sitting or focused, but I'm okay with that. You like to move and do...

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Your food is getting more complicated to prepare, but I'm glad to make you healthy food similar to what we eat everyday. You have eaten just about everything I put in front of you, such a good eater! You even like it when I fix you tilapia. Maybe I'll have someone else in the family that likes seafood?! I think Cheerio's are phasing out, you would rather have real food than snack on cheerios. Your favorite snack now is raisins. You love it when I put them in your oatmeal with just a touch of brown sugar. I think we are getting close to the time to teach you to eat with a spoon by yourself. You can take the spoon from our hands and put it with food staying, in your mouth. You also know to put the spoon in the bowl. Just have a hard time getting food on it. You have also stopped nursing. We are going on day 5 with no feedings. I am so proud of both of us for making it this long, and for doing the weaning gradually. It all worked out! I sorta miss it though... :-)

You say "Dada" to both me and your Dad. I'm still emphasizing Momma each time. If we ask you to get something or where someone is, you can usually bring it to us or look at that person or dog. So we know you know what we are saying, just working on the words! Your signing is getting confusing...I thought we were having a break through with our communication, but now you sign when you want something or when you don't.... "All done" is your favorite, you've adapted it to mean, "Something else" or "Not right now". Another one is "food" which can sometimes mean for you that you want your paci. See what I mean? :-)

Outside is your favorite place to play. You bring me your shoes and then my shoes and indicate your interest in going out by tapping the door and saying "This?". You love your swing! You sing and clap your hands and smile when we go high. You interact so well with the dogs, and they with you. You give sticks to Bailey and you take them away too! You also take Goldie's outside ball and run with it wanting her to chase you. We are working on throwing it, but it doesn't go very far yet. You "sing?" at the top of your lungs and wave sticks around like a little warrior. You enjoy exploring, digging and bringing me the finds. Sometimes its a rock or twig or shell, but we have had to run inside and wash our hands when you find, ahem....other things that should not be picked up! 

Your walking has gotten so steady, and you step up like a champ now. Was it just a few weeks ago that you still wanted to hold my hand getting down off the porch? Sigh.... you are not a baby anymore. You can even walk into church on your own. You have to hold our hands though because 

you get distracted by being outside and forget to go inside!

You warm my heart everyday. You love to hug me, the animals and your daddy. You are such a loving boy. I don't know anyone that has met you that doesn't love you. 

I'm glad to raise you in such a loving environment. 

12 Months, a Year Old!

How are you already 1 year old?

Already I see such changes in you. You are still the sweetest, exploratory little boy as always, but you seem like you are understanding more of what your body can do. You give us the cheesiest smiles and dramatic coughs when you want attention. You are dancing more, bending slightly at the waist and wiggling back and forth - so cute!

We had our first 4th of July. You didn't stay up to watch fireworks, crashed in bed by 7, maybe next year? You had a great time at the party though. There were lots of children to play with and lots of stuff to get into.

You especially loved the blueberry, raspberry and strawberry fruit selection. We went from Ben and Molli's house over to GiGi and Grandpa's house. You had a good time dancing with your GiGi and eating watermelon!

Next was dinner at Nick and Callan and Landry's. We went by the canal and fed the ducks afterwards. You loved running around and eating the bread that we gave you to throw to the ducks! Silly bug :-)

After that you had a great time swimming at your friend Madison's bday party. We used her float, that's why its pink and purple - but you loved being with your daddy in the pool.

The week of your birthday Daddy had to go out of town to camp with the youth group from church. So we enjoyed GiGi's company for a few days. She came with us to the library and sang songs with you at your library group. Then it was on to McDonalds where we got to play with your cousins Hayden and Harper and see your Aunt Jen Tulip. We ate nuggets and ran around with GiGi's keys.
On your birthday we had our photo's taken at Picture People. You were a HANDFUL! I remember the last time we took pictures you were 6 months old and not nearly as mobile as you are now. Despite all the chasing and placing and making fools of ourselves to get you to smile, everything turned out great.

Fast forward to one week later - we had your first bday parties. One for your friends and one for your family. Monkeys and banana's filled the house and

 I had fun showing your month to month progression for all our guests. 

Your Aunt Erin made some amazing cupcakes for you with monkeys and bananas on top. And two oversized cupcakes for your "smash" cakes. I can tell your have your parents' sweet tooth cause you almost ate all of your smash cake the first day. We cut you off the second party cause you were so wired after all that sugar you were driving us crazy. It was a fun time with lots of fun new toys, clothes and books. You loved being with all your family and friends and I can see that you are starting to form new bonds with people.

After your last party and a nap we walked down to the park and you had a blast swinging and walking around. Your Mimi and Bum got you your very own swing. I am looking forward to Daddy installing it and we will swing some more in the backyard.

Whew! What a whirlwind. What will 13 months bring???

11 Months...almost a year old!

  

I think I start every post with Wow! Its true though. You amaze me. Being your mom is a thrilling adventure, it never gets old. Now you are 11 months old. Some noteworthy events that happened this month: you doubled your food intake (solids); you are walking around whenever you can; you have started babbling, lots of dadadada , mamama. bababa, and dise... etc; you had your first sickness (a virus that left you with spots from head to toe!), you are sleep training and doing so well at it and we have weaned down to 4 feedings a day now.

Your first virus, poor bug!

You are all over the place now!

Whew! Lots of stuff for just one little month.

We signed up for classes at the library where you are meeting lots of kids your own developmental stage. You love playing with the shaker toys and clapping to the music. Your idea of dancing is rocking your body back and forth and shaking your head. Oh goodness, we need to have someone else teach you to dance...I'm not a very good example!!!


You still love books. We get new ones every week at the library. You especially love the ones that have textures to feel. Some of your favorites are the "That's not my ____" fill in the blank - we have read the kitty, train and monkey ones so far.

Reading your Tractor book from Aunt J!

You love looking outside

We had a nice experiment a couple weeks ago. I had to work more than usual to make up for one of my associates going on their vacation and since we are still nursing I elected to go to your Mimi's house. This way you could still have your feedings and I could get more work done while you played with her. I was so proud of how you handled everything. The first day was hard (for both of us), but after that you warmed up and had a great time. :-)

Hanging out with Goldie

You love to play chase! And you are starting to chase us too. I love that you are starting to understand how to pet the dogs - "be gentle" although you still pull tails and grab hair. I'm glad they are tolerant and love you through it all!

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but you have totally abandoned Chuck (your Beaver lovee) and now cuddle up with your monkey - we just call him Monkey for now.
If you get upset or don't go to sleep right away you end up throwing everything out of your crib that isn't tied down. This "unpacking" also translates to your room or any box available. After nursing sometimes I let you wander around your room and you unpack your dresser drawers and the basket of books and your toybox. I don't mind picking it all back up, you just enjoy exploring; plus it keeps you happy for a little while. You are getting better at putting things back. We play a game together that involves asking "whats in your box?" and you go over and unpack it. Then you take all those toys and put them back in or just carry around the empty box to show me.

Yes, YOU made this mess! 

Your room after I cleaned it up

Back for more fun!

And gone again!

Speaking of putting things away, we just recently had a funny thing happen. The video monitor disappeared and we knew you had it last. We looked underneath the couches, crib, dresser our bed..not there. Daddy finally found it in our closet inside his boot! Silly bug! 
You still love bath time. It takes 2 of us to give you a bath since you are all over the place! You are starting to learn how to squirt your toys and are fascinated with the drain. You enjoy putting your toys and washcloths on the soap holder. This sometimes requires you to stand and we are constantly telling you to "sit on your bottom". It gets too slippery to stand in the tub. You lap up the bathwater like a dog...who did you learn that from? I am excited to introduce you to the pool soon. I think you are going to love it!
Next post you will be a whole year old...my goodness :-)

Exploring the front yard

9 - no wait 10 months!

Whew! You have kept us so busy that I completely forgot to do a nine month blog! So much has happened in a couple months. You went from crawling to pulling up to cruising to your first steps and now walking!!! No wonder I haven't been able to update - you keep us on our toes little bug. :-)

Showing off your little teeth!

9 month lambie photo

Bailey wanted some attention!

You had your first photo shoot in the bluebonnets, we went to Ennis and there were bluebonnets everywhere. It wasn't hard to find a good spot and you ate your very first bluebonnet :-) 

Then your very first Easter! You got to hunt easter eggs and be with all your family. 

You got two

In the mouth they go!

Your shirt says "Could I be any cuter?" And I think you get cuter everyday. Even when you are pulling things off the table and splashing in the dog water bowl - you are still my cutie!

 You love being outside! You play in the dirt , eat grass and  pick up whatever you can get your hands on :-) We spend sometime each day in the front or back yard. This time we were in your GiGi's backyard.

WALKING!!!! 

FIRST STEPS AND SO IT BEGINS...

Like I've said before, you are on a mission to be mobile! So on May 10th you started taking your first steps, and some nasty falling too! But you are such a tough little guy and you keep on getting up and trying again. We've only had one truly black eye, that was when you met a window sill on the way down. I say we've been lucky so far! 

On Mothers Day our church had a baby dedication for you. All the family showed up and you were so handsome in your little man suit. We dedicated you to God. We made committments to be Godly parents and examples for you to grow up knowing Christ. We can't wait to teach you all about God and Christ and see you make the decision to follow him and be a new person. :-)

Here are your 10 month pictures. You like GiGi's yard so much we decided to do go there for our pictures. That night James took a buzz cutter to your hair and it looks much better now. You were getting shaggy!

Next up 11 months!!!! Wow, this year is flying by!